St. Theresa School celebrates 100 years as Musketeers

By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

Photography: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO| FC

CORAL GABLES | St. Theresa School, the oldest Catholic school in Miami-Dade County, marked its 100th anniversary with a campus-wide celebration on Sept. 15, 2025. The centennial festivities included a Thanksgiving Mass, student activities, games, and birthday treats — all honoring a legacy that began in 1925.

“For me to celebrate Mass with the kids this morning, it really was an honor, and an undeserved honor at that, because I just see it as being the successor of so many incredible pastors,” said Father Manny Alvarez, the ninth pastor of the Church of the Little Flower, St. Theresa’s home parish.

Father Alvarez, who arrived in 2019, recalled his first impression of the school’s size with a “Wow! This is big,” referencing its nearly 900 students.

“It’s beautiful that we can offer Catholic education to so many children. Our mission every day is to wake up and educate these kids and teach them to primarily be disciples of Jesus Christ. And we’ve been doing that for a hundred years,” he said.

At the centennial bash, the school’s backyard buzzed with energy as students enjoyed bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course, arts and crafts, games, and a birthday sing-along topped with cake and cupcakes. Donations from Burger King and Kona Ice helped round out the treats.

“We wanted the children to understand the concept of what an anniversary is, and what it means to celebrate this milestone with fun,” said Carmelite Sister Rosalie Nagy, St. Theresa’s principal.

Eighth-graders Karina Gonzalez and Harrison Holden, both students since prek-3, are part of the school’s 100th graduating class of Musketeers.

"It’s a big part of my family,” said Karina, whose mother, brother and several cousins also attended the school. “It really is like a home away from home, and I’m happiest when I’m here.”

Over his years as a student, Harrison appreciated how the school integrated faith into the academics: “It was like everything built off each other. It was very cool how they did that.”

“In Catholic schools we have higher expectations,” Sister Rosalie explained. “We’re not just forming intellectual people; we’re forming a whole person. We prepare young men and women for here on Earth, and there in heaven.”

A century of legacy

Originally founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine as St. Joseph’s Academy, the school began as a primary and secondary school. Historic photos show a solitary school building across from the church (completed in 1926), surrounded by pine trees and dirt roads, and the Biltmore Hotel in the distance. The school has survived the catastrophic 1926 hurricane, the Great Depression, World War II, and more.

Now serving pre-K through eighth grade, St. Theresa is operated by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles and a lay faculty. They credit the school’s lasting success to its strong foundational roots and continued community support.

“You have these outside influences that change, and it can make or break a school. But our golden thread is able to flex when it needs to,” said Sister Rosalie.

Joanne Hernandez, parent of three boys and special events co-chair at St. Theresa, sees that thread as unbroken faith.

“It has always stayed strong, and that’s one of the things that we tell families when they come and see our school,” she said.

Visiting families often comment to Hernandez that they feel a sense of welcome, tradition and legacy as they walk through the school — not only in the 100-year-old building, but in the students and faculty, as well.

“Sometimes tradition gets lost in this changing world. I tell everyone this school has the magic. We have tradition.”

Parent involvement is also essential to the school’s model.

“They encourage people to bring their talents and resources, and they really invest in the school, and it helps build community. We do ask for more, but many of us want to be here. We want to give our time and treasure to really build the legacy and have it continue,” Hernandez added.

Loyalty that lasts

Few embody the school’s legacy better than longtime athletic coach Frank Ramos, who has served at St. Theresa for 57 of its 100 years.

“I never figured I’d be here this long,” said Ramos, who joined in 1969 when the school only offered three sports — baseball, basketball, and girls’ volleyball.

Under his guidance, the athletic program now boasts 32 teams across various sports. He has mentored hundreds of student-athletes, many of whom have gone on to coach or play professionally, and for the last 35 years he has served as director for the All Catholic Conference of Miami.

“When I run into alumni, the first thing they ask is, ‘Is Coach Ramos still there?’” Sister Rosalie said.

Today, Ramos teaches physical education and continues to coach the track and field teams. He also coordinates the St. Theresa Faculty Fitness Walking Challenge and other fun fitness bonding activities for the school he considers family.

“You don’t want to leave here,” Ramos said. “Once you walk in the door, you see how unity is in everything, and you have a good administration that backs you up.”

“He’s one of the pillars,” Sister Rosalie added.

As for retirement? Ramos isn’t planning it.

“If the Lord keeps working with me, keeping me healthy, I don’t see it,” he said.

Around his 50th year at the school, he considered it, but the excitement over the centennial celebration, and a campaign for a new multi-purpose building on campus encouraged him to stick around a while longer.

When asked what makes St. Theresa School special for students, Ramos believes it is the love shown and given to them.

“The children take a lot of love with them, and then they come back,” he said. “They come back and they want to have their children come to the school.”

CALLING ALL ALUMNI

St. Theresa School will celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 16, 2025 at 2:30 p.m., with a historical walk and special celebration to follow. To find out more visit stscg.org or call 305-446-1738.